World Maritime Organization considers climate targets achievable
Published: Tuesday, Sep 3rd 2024, 17:20
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The shipping industry is aiming for climate neutrality by around 2050. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) believes the industry is on course. This was stated by the Secretary General at the SMM shipbuilding trade fair.
The head of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Arsenio Dominguez, believes the industry is on the right path to achieving the climate protection target. "We are on course," said Dominguez during the SMM trade fair for shipbuilding, machinery and marine technology in Hamburg.
The members of the IMO agreed last year that international shipping should achieve climate neutrality by around 2050. Climate neutrality means that the climate is not affected. More than 170 countries currently belong to the IMO, including Switzerland, Germany, the United States and China.
Dominguez said that the 2050 target was achievable. He had no doubts. New technology will play an important role. However, the Secretary-General said that the transformation of shipping would be associated with challenges. "There is a price to pay."
According to the International Energy Agency, shipping accounted for around two percent of energy-related CO2 emissions worldwide in 2022.
Company boss: not a question of technology
The head of the Augsburg-based company MAN Energy Solutions, Uwe Lauber, said at the trade fair that technology is already available. The company has been offering alternative drive technology for several years.
"It's not a question of the availability of technology," said the CEO of the VW subsidiary. "It's more a question of the availability of alternative fuel." Among other things, the company offers engines and propellers for the shipping industry.
Lauber, who is also a member of the National Hydrogen Council, also said: "We need hydrogen - in huge quantities." Shipping would have to replace millions of tons of heavy fuel oil and would need hydrogen to do so.
©Keystone/SDA
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